Human leukocyte alpha interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

In order to evaluate the effects of natural human leukocyte interferon alpha (nIFNa) in chronic hepatitis C, 22 consecutive anti-HCV positive patients with biopsy-proven chronic hepatitis were treated with natural human leukocyte alpha IFN (Alfaferone, Alfa Wassermann, Italy) at a dose of 3 million units (MU) thrice weekly for 6 months. Also included were four patients who did not respond to a previous treatment with recombinant IFN (rIFN) because of development of anti-IFN neutralizing antibodies (anti-IFN NA). During treatment, a biochemical response was obtained in 13 of the 22 patients (59%). All four patients with anti-IFN NA responded to therapy. After cessation of therapy, 6 of the 13 (46.1%) responder patients showed a biochemical relapse. The treatment was well tolerated and no major side effects were observed. Our results indicate that a six month course of natural IFNa at a dose of 3 MU thrice weekly is effective in inducing a biochemical remission in chronic hepatitis C, especially in patients non responsive to a previous treatment with rIFN.